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TURKEY
Population 70 million
Land Area 769,630 KM2
Capital City Ankara
Currency Lira
Language Turkish
Politics and Culture
Democratic state and Member of NATO
Turkey is governed by the Justice
& Development Party (AK)
The Prime Minister is RecepTayyip Erdogan
Liberal Islamic culture (one of the first countries to give women the political vote).
Secular & social state that allows complete freedom to worship any religious faith.
Economy
Amongst the world's fastest growing economies -GDP 7.2% in 2004/5 (compared to 2.3% to the EU).
"Turkey on its way to becoming a tiger economy" - International Monetary Fund
Declining unemployment and rising avarage wages - Oxford Business Group
Interest rates forecast to fall to 11% in the next 12months, reducing cost of borrowing by 23%
EU Budgeet allocation of 300m Euro in 2006 and 500m Euro for 2007 with a further allocation fo 1bnEuro scheduled upto and including year 2013. - (www.europa.eu.int -EU portal website).
Bank lending in Turkey to radically improve with many leading European Banks I.e HSBC, BNP (France), Rabobank (Holland) and Fortis (Belgium).
Tourism
Turkish Government is allocating money for improvments to infrastructure (Roads, Golf Courses, amenities, roads, etc..) More than 100 golf courses are planned for construction over the next 4 years.
Over the last 2 years tourism has grown by 20%, there was over 21 million foreigners choosing Turkey as their holiday destination. (www.Zaman.com)
Turkey Government is investing heavily in tourism and infrastructure, this is increasingly evident in many tourist resorts.
Flights from UK & Irekand just one hour longer than flying to Southern Spain, also with many more flights opening and becoming available it is making Turkey a very attractive vacation destination.
Southern Turkey enjoys a warm climate all year round, although the winters can feel bitterly cold, however, this is usually only for a period of 8 weeks.
Rich Cultural Heritage: many archeological sites to visit including the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus in Bodrum and the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, two of the seven ancient wonders of the world.
Turkey is now hosting the "Formula 1" racing.
Visa & Entry conditions
3 month-tourist visa issued at the airport on arrival and cost £10 for British Passport holders and 10Euro for Southern Irish Passport holders.
Foreigners do need to apply for a work permit and the process can take up to 2 months.
Southern Turkey Climate
Mild winters, and hot summer with temperatures ranging from 13c - through to 36c and sometimes higher in the summers.
Food and shopping
Turkish fruit and vegetables much fresher than in the UK and retaining the taste.
Large supermarket chains are now located in many of the popular resorts, making it much easier for those on a self catering holiday.
All resorts offer a superb choice of meat and fish.
Local Health Care
When in Turkey it is advised to use private medical care, many of the resorts now have a hospital or a department to deal with English speaking patients.
Turkey is becoming increasingly popular for those seeking medical treatment, with a growing good reputation is usually much cheaper than the UK.
Security
Turkey is regarded as very safe with crime rates far lower than those of most european countries including the UK.
Language
First language is Turkish, but on the tourist resorts English, German and Dutch is widely spoken.
Newpapers, television and Telephones.
You can now find English translated or English newspapers also available online. Satelite TV Sky and Digiturk, also available are a few free satelite channels.
Landline phones, mobile phones, plenty of shops to assist you in your choice of communications.
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| Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition, Copyright (c) 2005. | |